Latest news with #DennisDrennan
Agriland
3 days ago
- Health
- Agriland
Minister's TB proposals need to be ‘balanced and fair'
Ongoing discussions that aim to reset the country's TB programme must result in an 'action plan' that establishes 'the requirements' on each stakeholder from farmers right through to other players in the livestock industry, according to one farm organisation. The president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association's (ICMSA), Dennis Drennan, said today (Wednesday, May 28) this stakeholder group should also include vets and key departments and agencies including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM). According to the department TB disease levels in recent years have increased significantly. Herd incidence has increased from 4.31% in 2022 to 6.04% in 2024, a 36% increase in the number of herds restricted between 2022 and 2024. Earlier this month DAFM presented an initial set of around 30 proposals to farm organisations and other stakeholders at an extraordinary 'summit' hosted by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon. This was followed up with a series of bilateral meetings between the minister and farm organisations and other stakeholders where a revised set of proposals were put forward. TB According to Drennan an action plan on TB could be formulated that is 'perfectly attainable and could be agreed and implemented in a way that treated everyone with respect and fairness'. But the ICMSA president has also warned that farmers have 'very legitimate concerns' around the proposals put forward by DAFM and the minister. 'ICMSA's major concern relates to very significant requirements being placed on farmers, some of which may have serious farming and financial implications, without any corresponding requirements being placed any of the other players. 'ICMSA can't accept this singling out of farmers when it's obvious that if TB is to be dealt with, we all need clear distinct targets, procedures, and timeframes in place, certainly in relation to the role of wildlife in relation to TB spread,' Drennan added. He has also stressed that the ICMSA believe an animal should 'only be allowed to move twice following a TB test with a further TB test required if further movements take place'. He said that with the average animal moving 1.3 times in their lifetime, such a proposal would not be a major burden on farmers. Drennan also emphasised today the ICMSA is fully supportive of 'significant and meaningful actions' that will halt and then reverse the latest surge TB. 'We've always indicated that we're on board for a serious response that's going to get TB levels moving in the right direction. 'But that's going to mean that everyone involved in the movement, trade and sale of cattle plays their part as well and that must mean the finishing units, the dealers and the marts too. 'The proposals so far suggest more regulations on the farmers while everyone else carries on their sweet and unbothered way. It's not fair and it won't work,' he added.
Agriland
14-05-2025
- Business
- Agriland
‘We've heard it all before' – ICMSA on CAP simplification
The Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association's (ICMSA) president, Dennis Drennan believes that the European Commission's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) simplification proposals are 'unconvincing'. Earlier today (May 14), the commission outlined the measures it will take in order to simplify the CAP and boost farmers' competitiveness. The ICMSA believes, that while the changes may involve some minor improvements for some farmers, the overall 'regulatory tide' shows no sign of easing. According to the ICMSA president, there is 'no real confidence' in the commission's simplification plan. He said: 'We've seen and heard it all before and so far from the issues being simplified, they become steadily more cumbersome and complex year-on-year.' ICMSA Drennan believes that the EU Deforestation Regulations (EUFR) are the 'perfect example' of the EU 'talking' about simplification. The ICMSA president said: 'There were and are several alternatives to the EUFR which were pointed out to both to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the commission. 'It's made no difference, and we are going with yet another raft of new regulations around forestry and livestock.' Drennan believes that the commission should publish the basis for the €1.58 billion savings for EU farmers, which he claims averages €173 per EU farmer and is insignificant set against the cost of compliance borne by farmers on an annual basis. According to the ICMSA president, three of the commission's proposals require additional funding. 'Is there new funding for these 'simplification' proposals or is this the old and discredited 'rob Peter to pay Paul' strategy which has left the CAP chronically underfunded and sliding into irrelevance?' The ICMSA president said he was happy to acknowledge any efforts being made by the commission regarding simplification. However, he said that to date, including today's announcement, farmers had seen little or no benefit and other sections of the EU Commission continue to load regulations on farmers. He said: 'The EU Commission as a simple complete entity, needs to come together and simplify the regulations while still meeting their requirements. It's possible and must be carried through. 'We have overloaded the levels of regulations on farmers on regulation and the reduction in food production across the EU is clear evidence of this. We need real simplification, not tokenism,' he added.
